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FRATERNITY EDUCATION 

PROGRESS 



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Fraternity Education Progress 



Qtfje Jf raternal <&vbtv of 
American &portemen 



Invitation 

<IYe who love the haunts of nature, 
Love the sunshine of the meadow, 
Love the shadow of the forest, 
Love the wind among the branches, 
And the rain-shower and the snow-storm, 
And the rushing of great rivers 
Through their palisades of pine trees, 
Come and hear these wild traditions, 
Of the Sportsmen true and brave. 
*IYe who love a nation's legends, 
Love the pastime of a people, 
Come and hear this sportsmen legend, 
Of the song fraternal love. 
<IYe whose hearts are fresh and simple, 
Who have faith in God and nature, 
Who believe that in all ages, 



A Fraternal Eulogy 



Every human heart is human, 

That in even savage bosoms 

There are longings, yearnings, strivings, 

For the good they comprehend not, 

That the feeble hands and helpless, 

Groping blindly in the darkness, 

Touch God's right hand in that darkness, 

And are lifted up and strengthened, — 

For the work that is here to do. 

<JA11 ye people of the nation, 

Come and join "The American Sportsmen." 

And as brothers live henceforward, 

For in union there is strength. 



A Fraternal Eulogy 

<][We can only view from afar the magnificent 
structures which the brain and the conscience of 
.this age have erected for the benefit of mankind. 
We can not estimate the genius that has planned 
this work, nor the architectural skill with which 
it has been molded. We can only view it as one 
of the forces for good which are transforming the 
spirit of the age. 

<IThere is a tie that binds us, man to man, as 
surely as a force holds earth to sun and sun to 

©CLA410127 

AUG 16 1915 

^0/ . 



A Fraternal Eulogy 



stars; our senses may be dull and we as little 
comprehend the law of brotherhood as did the 
men of pre-Newtonic days the law of gravity, 
and yet throughout the earth in every human 
heart is felt a force that we have learned to call 
fraternity. 

<JThe age of miracles is past, but wonders have 
not ceased. The rise and progress of the great 
fraternal organizations during the last four 
decades afford a notable and conspicuous in- 
stance where the borders of wonderland have 
been reached. 

<IWhile historians are delving into the dim past 
searching out the origin of fraternal help, and 
the actuaries are endeavoring to agree upon a 
basis of calculation that will be mathematically 
and scientifically correct, it is interesting to a 
quiet observer to simply contemplate the system 
as it is, what it has done, and some of its possi- 
bilities for the future. 

<UThe history of the past is a gradual but sure, 
evolution from wrong, ignorance and oppression 
to civilization, liberty and fraternity. This 
evolution has come through blood and carnage. 
From Nero to the Edict of Nantes, Christianity 
was strengthened by the blood of martyrs. The 



A Fraternal Eulogy 



French Revolution and the ringing words of 
Luther enthroned the individual man and de- 
throned the despot. Caesar, the pagan, prepared 
the way for Christianity; Charlemagne, the 
barbarian, for civilization, and Napoleon, the 
bloody despot, for liberty. Truly, it has been a 
long and bloody road from the Nazarene, with 
his matchless teachings of the universal "Father- 
hood of God and the Brotherhood of man" to 
our present high civilization and fraternal spirit. 
This world can only be transformed from selfish- 
ness to brotherly love by the absolute recognition 
of the teachings of the Nazarene. 

<JAs we stand about our altars, pledged to care 
for and protect the rights of each individual, let 
us remember that, before God, all men are equal; 
that our individual rights are never fully secured 
until the rights of our brothers are also made 
certain. 

^Fraternity is spreading over our broad land, 
and every city, town, village, and hamlet, in 
every portion of our vast domain has one or 
more Fraternal Orders in its midst. The so 
called secret society has no fears for any one any 
longer. The term secret was a misnomer, applied 
to mystify the suspicious, that these things are 



A Fraternal Eulogy 5 

well understood, the good, honest word fraternal 
has become most popular. About the only 
secrets to any of the Orders now are the signs, 
grips, initiatory work, and pass-words, and these 
are necessary secrets, in order to protect the 
membership from outside imposters, and to 
recognize each other in moments of need, when 
traveling, or in danger. So, after all, what may 
appear to some as a terrible trespass upon 
American rights, is indeed a protection to our 
American liberties and the defender of our 
American homes. 

CflThere is not a Fraternal Order today but recog- 
nizes God as the Supreme Ruler of the universe. 
And in our "land of the free and home of the 
brave" the Constitution and Laws of the land 
are the Basic Principles of every Order. 

<IWe are taught to respect the rights of our fel- 
lows, to wrong no man, to "render unto Caesar 
the things that are Caesar's" and to do unto all 
men as we would they should do unto us. 

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMEN. 



What We Are 



What We Are 

*IThe American Sportsmen (F. 0. A. S.) is a 
national Fraternal Organization, carried on 
solely for the mutual benefit of its members and 
their families, having a lodge system with 
ritualistic form of work and a business form of 
government. 

<IThe objects of the Order are, vis: — To unite fra- 
ternally all white male persons, who believe in a 
Supreme Being as the creator and preserver of 
the universe, without reference to faith, creed 
or politics. To protect Americans and their 
home circle. To aid them in sickness and death. 
To advance the interest in the public schools 
and the teachings of the fundamental principles 
of the Holy Bible therein. To prevent cruelty 
to animals. To protect song, migratory and 
other harmless birds. To protect game of forest, 
field and stream. To influence the extension of 
forest reserves and the development by the 
government of all natural resources. To encour- 
age military training. 

*ITo promote the progress of Science and Art. 
To encourage members to save a portion of their 
earnings through the Savings and Banking 
Association. To furnish authentic information 



Matriculation 



on any subject through the Bureau of General 
Research. To encourage and uplift to a higher 
plane all sports and recreation. To instill 
patriotism in every heart and extend the right 
hand of fellowship to all. 



Matriculation 

<IAny white male citizen of the United States of 
America, or persons who shall swear allegiance 
to the American flag, who shall have attained to 
the age of eighteen years, of good moral charac- 
ter, able to speak, read and write the English 
language, have industrious habits and possessed 
of some known reputable means of support, free 
from all infirmity and disease, a believer in a 
Supreme Being as the creator and preserver of 
the universe, possessed of such other qualifica- 
tions as may be prescribed by the Supreme 
Camp, or laws of the Subordinate Camp duly 
approved, regardless of their inclinations toward 
sports of any character, shall be eligible for mem- 
bership into the Fraternal Order of American 
Sportsmen. 



Social Creed 



Social Creed 



CflNever before in the history of human events, 
has there been a greater plea for social better- 
ment than at this age. We are now entering an 
epoch of the world's grandest period, an epoch 
when men as never before shall realize the full 
value of a character worthy of the name brother; 
a character who stands for the universal "Father- 
hood of God and the Brotherhood of man"; who 
believes that man should live as God intended; 
who believes that men should have entertainment 
and social pleasure which will elevate and bind 
them together in bonds of fellowship. 

*JfThe realization of this great social movement 
will be unanimously assisted by the leading 
Fraternal Organizations of the day. The Fra- 
ternal Order of American Sportsmen, one of the 
foremost organizations in the minds of the 
American people, will take a principal part in 
this social movement, which will go down in 
Fraternal history as the Revolution of Social 
Degeneracy. 

<JOne prime object of the American Sportsmen, 
is to eradicate the offensive influences of the 
American Sports, placing them upon a higher 
plane and remove the barrier of disgust, which 



Social Creed 9 

has been propagated by the pious influences, 
arising from the offensive conduct of persons 
who do not fully appreciate the higher moral 
standard of entertainment and social pleasure. 
CThe American Sportsmen believe that reputa- 
ble sport should be brought into a closer relation- 
ship with the Christian church, as clean sports 
and recreation are elevating and contribute 
largely to the success of Christianity, Business 
and Education, the authority for this statement 
being well established by the fact that practically 
all universities and colleges maintain and en- 
courage reputable sports. 

^Sports have always been a valuable agent of 
civilization and have wrought wonders in the 
Philippine Islands since the American soldiers 
first taught the Philippines to play baseball. 
Games and exercises of strength, agility and 
endurance, have helped the development of 
friendly feelings between many of the different 
tribes of natives, who, not very long ago, were 
hostile. They have served to place upon an 
equal footing the different classes, one-half of 
whom were regarded formerly as virtual slaves 
for the other half. Sports are used successfully 
by teachers to foster among the boys and girls 
an inclination to become educated. Not only 



10 Social Features 

have sports played their part in the Philippines, 
but in many other places throughout the world 
and are still serving as one of the forces for good, 
which is transforming the spirit of the Age. 



Social Features 

CflEach Subordinate Camp may provide for social 
quarters and club rooms, where members may 
assemble for their mutual benefit and enjoyment. 
These club rooms may consist of meeting halls, 
parlors, libraries, study rooms, music rooms, 
gymnasium, baths, billiard and pool rooms, 
bowling alley, basket ball, etc. But principally 
outdoor sports will be the prevailing social 
features, such as rifle practice, trap shooting, 
hunting clubs, camping, canoeing, swinging, base- 
ball, foot-ball, tennis, golf, etc. Each Subordinate 
Camp may have its own teams, and provide 
grounds for holding games and shooting events. 
A standard code of rules will govern all events. 



Organized Sportsmen 

^By virtue of the Constitution and Laws of the 
Order, Sportsmen are organized into a national 



Game Protective Association 



body, which means everything to them; it enables 
them to keep in touch with their particular choice 
of sports and recreation, from an advantageous 
standpoint, by means of the Bureau of General 
Research, which keeps a complete record of base- 
ball players and serves as an exchange whereby 
teams may get in touch with teams and players; 
and furnish other information as they may desire. 
Gun clubs, hunting clubs and all other sports 
are managed in like manner. 



Game Protective Association 

/ have given you lands to hunt in, 
I have given you streams to fish in, 
I have given you bear and bison, 
I have given you roe and reindeer, 
Filled the marshes full of wild-fowl, 
Filled the rivers full of fishes, 
Why then are ye not contented? 
Why then will ye hunt each other? 
Why not be at peace henceforward? 
And as brothers live together. 

( Hiawatha) 

<IThe American Sportsmen is a National Game 
Protective Association, co-operating with all 



1 2 Bureau of General Research 

other organizations of like nature, for the pro- 
tection of all game of forest, field and stream, 
and to influence legislation that will be necessary 
and expedient for carrying into effect the fore- 
going principles. 

<JEach member will be expected to abide by the 
rules and regulations of the Game and Hunting 
Clubs, which provide for the protection of the 
farmers' stock and property, or be disciplined 
according to the Constitution and Laws of the 
Order. 

CJThe time is near, when a matriculation card of 
the American Sportsmen will be recognized by 
the farmer, or land owner, as sufficient recom- 
mendation upon which to grant the holder a per- 
mit to hunt, fish, or camp upon his premises. 



Bureau of General Research 

<JIn order to protect the interest of our members 
against the fraudulant schemes which are float- 
ing on the market, we have established a Bureau 
of General Research thoroughly competent of 
furnishing authentic information upon any sub- 
ject of a fair and proper nature. 



Bureau of General Research 13 

<JThe value and importance of this Bureau is 
readily seen, in so much as it places at the service 
of any member, the combined intellectual power 
and long years of commercial experience of high- 
ly efficient men. 

flit does not matter where you may live, or what 
your position in life might be, there will no doubt 
come a time when you will have occasion to make 
inquiry regarding certain subjects, such as: 
Bible questions, History of the World, Great 
Personages, Scientific Discoveries and Inventions, 
Industry and Commerce, Sports and Recreation. 
Ratings on individuals and companies, with 
whom you are negotiating a business transaction, 
will be carefully investigated, and should there 
be a doubt, as to the feasibility of such transac- 
tion, the member will be given the benefit of the 
doubt. 

^Thousands of men have lost snug fortunes by 
investing in the stock of various enterprises, 
which proved to be more of an experiment than 
a practical undertaking, without making any 
previous investigation. 

flThe American Sportsmen endeavors to safe- 
guard its members from such transactions, by 
furnishing them with the best ratings possible to 
secure by legitimate means. 



14 How to Acquire a Fortune 

CJThis protection and service is yours, by becom- 
ing a subscriber to the Bureau of General Re- 
search and a member of the American Sportsmen, 
while the fees and dues do not exceed the amount 
charged by many other single organizations. 



How to Acquire a Fortune 

CJThe acquiring of a fortune is built up like a 
wall of Masonry, a stone at a time. The young 
man who declines to lay the first stone, because 
it falls so far short of being a wall, will never 
make progress along the lines of financial Ma- 
sonry. 

<JIt is a certainty that the young man who 
considers it not worth while to save small 
amounts, will never have large ones to save; he 
is like the man who declines to go to work until 
he can start in at a big salary. 

<JThe first savings of some of our leading finan- 
ciers, would look very small, even to the average 
laborer of today ; but they were seeds from which 
sprang increased profits and enthusiasm in busi- 
ness and finance. Saving is a habit and grows 
like the grass in the springtime, under the 
influence of rain and sunshine. 



How to Acquire a Fortune 15 

CJBy means of a scientifically calculated Savings 
and Banking Association, members of the 
American Sportsmen are materially assisted in 
cultivating the habit of saving a portion of their 
earnings. A system that does not convey title 
of the deposits to the Association, but retains 
title in favor of the depositor, with option as to 
the Banking Institution that he desires to make 
his depository. 

^Members may enroll for any number of years, 
but no term shall be for a shorter period than 
five years, and for no less amount than twenty- 
five cents per week. Members are prohibited 
from withdrawing their accounts, or any portion 
thereof, previous to the expiration of their con- 
tract, except in case of sickness or death of mem- 
ber, or member of his family, or to pay the 
premium on a life insurance policy should he be 
unable to do so otherwise, as the Order holds 
that Life Insurance is a necessary protection for 
a man's family, or those dependent upon him 
for support. 

^Estimates go to show that fifty per cent, of the 
wage earners throughout the country would be 
incapable of supporting themselves and families 
from their own resources, for a greater period 
than sixty days, should their income cease, as 



16 Commercial Training Course 

this percentage of the wage earners has not 
created an emergency fund to provide for such 
cases as they should have done, through the 
medium of a saving fund. After all, the acquir- 
ing of a fortune is only the habit of saving. 
<ILet the American Sportsmen help you by 
becoming a member; by doing so you will help 
others. 



Commercial Training Course 

9 In order that our members may be better 
qualified for the battles of life, we have prepared 
in our ritualistic work, a scientific and practical 
course of salesmanship, which will enable them 
to more intelligently represent themselves, as 
well as to represent others. It will be a valued 
assistance to them in the negotiation of any busi- 
ness transaction, or in their social walk of life. 
^Salesmanship is being used each day, by every 
man or woman, regardless of their occupations. 
Men will study for years to attain an education, 
why? because they are enabled to demand a 
higher price for their service, or in other words, 
they Jean sell their service for a higher price. 
The man who can approach the management of a 



Why You Should Join \7 

concern, gracefully and courtly present himself, 
stands far the best show in securing employment 
over his untrained brothers, who ofttimes find it 
difficult to secure employment. 

^IThe science of salesmanship is important and 
valuable to every man; but it lies with him, 
whether he will make good or bad use of it. He 
should make such use of it as will add to the last- 
ing satisfaction of buyer and seller alike, and 
contribute to the wise distribution of the pro- 
ducts of the world. 



Why You Should Join the American Sportsmen 

^Because the social features are the peers, if not 
supreme to those of any other organization now 
in existence. 

9 In no other organization can a higher degree of 
true fraternity be found, than in the Fraternal 
Order of American Sportsmen. 

<jfThe Ritual is beautiful, historical and educa- 
tional, as well as impressive. 

<JThe benefits paid by the American Sportsmen 
are equal if not superior to those paid by any 
other organization. 



1 8 How to Apply for Membership 

<lThe Savings and Banking Association will help 
you financially. 

<jfThe Bureau of General Research will help you 
intellectually. 

<IThe Commercial Training Course will help you 
commercially. 

<IThe principles of the Order will help you 
morally. 

<JThe environments of the Order will help your 
community. 

*IBy becoming a member of the Order you will 
help others. 

<IThe fees are within your reach, the principles 
are elevating and are free from religious or 
political favoritism. Join issue with us and be 
one of the builders of the greatest organizations 
in fraternal history. 



How to Apply for Membership 

^Persons authorized to solicit membership for 
the Fraternal Order of American Sportsmen, are 
bonified members in good standing, of a reputa- 
ble character, and have on their person, a creden- 



How to Apply for Membership 19 

tial showing them to be such, authorizing them 
to take your application and fees thereon and 
receipt you for same with the official receipt of 
the Order. Reports of any infractions on the part 
of such commissioned members will be gladly 
received at the Home Office. 

flit does not matter where you reside, you may 
join us by applying direct to Home Office for 
application and information. 

flDo not hesitate joining the Fraternal Order of 
American Sportsmen. It is an organization, con- 
ducted on absolute business principles, by 
practical and honest men with honest purposes. 
flFor further information write to, 

THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF AMERICAN SPORTSMEN 

Dayton, Ohio. 

Or. 

Mr 



U. B. Publishing House 

Estabished 1834 

Dayton, Ohio 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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